Iran warns of quick retaliation as Trump revives US threats

Iran’s foreign minister says the Iranian armed forces are ready to “immediately and powerfully” respond to any possible attack by the United States.
The warning came hours after US President Donald Trump reiterated a threat to take military action against the country.
Iran’s parliament speaker signals openness to talks
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliamentary speaker, has said Tehran is open to genuine negotiations with the United States, according to Iran’s Tasnim news agency.

The report states that Iran is ready for honest and real talks with the US, but that Tehran does not think this is the kind of talk the US president is looking for.

Trump may be able to start a war, but he has no control over how it ends, the report adds.
European Parliament president calls for IRGC designation
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has urged the European Union to formally designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a “terrorist” organisation.

Speaking ahead of a European Parliament meeting on Thursday, Metsola said Europe had a “historic opportunity and duty” to move forward with the designation, arguing it would carry real consequences rather than being merely symbolic.

In a statement posted on X, she said the EU had a responsibility to show “moral clarity and leadership” in response to the deadly crackdown on antigovernment protesters in Iran.

Metsola said millions of Iranians were looking to Europe to act, adding that those responsible for killing protesters should find “no safe haven”.

Oil prices rise for third day amid US-Iran tensions
Oil prices rose more than ‍1.5 percent in Asian trade, ‍extending gains for a third day on Thursday, on increasing concerns the US may carry out a military attack on key Middle Eastern producer Iran that could disrupt supply from the region.

Brent crude futures rose 99 cents, or 1.5 percent, to $69.39 a ⁠barrel by 04:36 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude climbed $1.06, or 1.7 percent, to $64.27 a barrel.

Both contracts ​have climbed about 5 percent since Monday and are at their highest since September ‍29.
EU foreign ministers to discuss Iran sanctions over protest crackdown
European Union ‍foreign ministers are set to sign off on new sanctions on Iran over its crackdown on protests when they meet in Brussels today, according to reports.

The bloc is expected to impose travel bans and asset freezes on Iranian officials believed responsible for the killing of thousands of protesters since the demonstrations began.

In the light of Tehran’s crackdown, the EU is also considering designating Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as “a terrorist organisation”.

France said on Wednesday night it would drop its objections to such a move, which Germany and others in the bloc had demanded.

The designation is considered largely symbolic, as the IRGC is already sanctioned by the EU for human rights violations.
Recap of recent developments
US President Donald Trump has warned Iran to return to negotiations over its nuclear programme or face a US military operation, saying any future US attack would be “far worse” than previous strikes.
Iran responded by threatening retaliation, warning it would strike back against the US, Israel and countries supporting them.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it has contingency plans in place for all potential “enemy scenarios”.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran’s armed forces are on high alert, with “their fingers on the trigger” to respond “immediately and powerfully” to any attack.